Satellite News

Rocket: Chang Zheng 3B; Payload: Chang’e 3, Yutu; Date: 1 December 2013, 1730 UTC; Launch site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. The launch of China’s third moon probe, this time carrying the lunar rover Yutu, was successful.

Progress M-21M (a.k.a. Progress 53) docked to the aft port of the International Space Station’s Zvezda service module at 2230 UTC on 29 November, delivering almost three tons of food, fuel, supplies and holiday gifts for the Expedition 38 crew. However, docking had to be performed manually.

The critical manoeuvre to place India’s Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in the Mars Transfer Trajectory was successfully carried out on 30 November (UTC).